A driver appearing in court for using his mother-in-law’s disabled blue parking badge defended his actions, saying: “I’m a law abiding citizen.”

Miguel Ramos of Brixton Road, Lambeth, who was found using the badge when parking his car in Lincoln Street, Chelsea felt it was “a bit harsh” that he was standing before magistrates in Hammersmith on Tuesday (August 9).

He told the court: “We stopped quickly to go buy something, my wife was with me and she is my mother-in-law’s carer and usually drives the car.

“I wasn’t aware of the law and thought for five or 10 minutes as her carer was with me it would be OK, and this is a bit harsh. I’m a law-abiding citizen.”

However, he pleaded guilty to a charge under the Road Traffic Regulation Act and received a six-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £15.

A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea Council said: “It is illegal to use a disabled parking badge, even for a short time, if it has not been issued to you.

“These badges are for the use of people with genuine disabilities and where we uncover misuse we will take the appropriate legal action.”

Ramos is one of many motorists to have been caught wrongly using blue badges this year.